The Code Of The Alpha

After finally making some progress on the canvas, I was robbed of my lighting by the setting sun. I went downstairs and stepped out onto the back deck to get some fresh air. As soon as I walked out, the lights in the pool came on, turning the water bright blue.

I heard a gate open and shut and looked over to see Bates running full speed at the pool, taking his shirt off and throwing it on the concrete.

“Cannonball!” He screamed before leaping into the air and the crashing down into the pool, soaking everything within a fifteen foot radius.

As he surfaced, we made eye contact.

“Are you six?” I asked him, laughing.

“Come down here and ask me to my face,” he said threateningly.

“Dude, I was trying ask you what kind of pizza you wanted!”

Blaine shouted, walking through the gate that Bates had just dashed through.

Luca followed him, noticing me standing on the deck.

“I’ve already told you!” Bates yelled.

“I want cheese with extra cheese!”

“Six-year-old status confirmed,” I said, earning a playful glare.

“Seriously dude, you won’t shit for a week,” Blaine said.

“So l’ll buy some apple juice, big deal.”

Bates looked at me and pointed.

“Don’t even say it.”

I laughed.

“Do you like pizza?” Luca asked me.

“Pepperoni,” I answered, nodding.

“Basic bitch,” Bates mumbled.

Luca didn’t think it was as funny as I did.

“So order a large pepperoni for her and I. You can get another large and split it; half meatlover’s for you and half cheese for Bates,” he said.

“I wanted a cauliflower crust,” Blaine told him.

“Back the fuck up, you soggy lampshade. I will punch you in the nose and laugh at you bleeding if you even dare get a cauliflower crust,” Bates said, getting out of the pool.

“Just get two separate pizzas,” Luca said shaking his head.

Blaine shrugged and put his phone to his ear, calling to make the order.

Luca looked up at me.

“Want to come with me to pick up the pizza? We’ll probably stop and get some drinks, maybe some ice cream—”

“Mint chocolate chip,” Bates interjected.

Luca just rolled his eyes and I laughed, nodding.

“Let me get my shoes.”

When I walked outside to meet Luca at the car, he was standing by the truck looking down at his phone.

“Not in the mood to drive your fancy car?” I asked him.

His nose scrunched.

“And get that nasty pizza smell in my three-hundred-thousand dollar car? No, thank you.”

I thanked him as he opened the door for me to climb in. Luca closed the door behind me and got in on the driver’s side before starting the truck.

“So, what have you been doing all day?” He asked, pulling out of the driveway.

“Painting.

“Painting?” He repeated.

I nodded.

“I’ve been working on the same one for about four months now.”

“Four months?!” Luca said incredulously.

“Yeah, it’s taken a while.”

“Good grief,” he said.

“What about you?” I asked.

“What have you done today besides pretend to check the oil in your fancy sports car?”

He rolled his eyes.

“I’ve been working, mostly.”

Working.

When I went quiet, looking out the window at the trees flying by, Luca spoke again.

“You mentioned when we were at your house that you worked two jobs,” he said.

“What did you do?”

I noticed his use of the word did.

“I was a librarian and I taught art at the elementary school.”

The bitterness that laced my tone was evident.

“Did you like it?” He asked.

“If you’re asking whether I’ll miss it, the answer is yes.”

We were quiet for a few moments before Luca sighed.

“My mom wants to meet you,” he said.

This caught me off guard.

“That’s who called today while we were in the garage,” he continued.

“She’s upset with me for not bringing you over to

meet her and my step dad sooner. But, I figured, given the circumstances, that maybe it was best to wait a while.”

I was quiet, trying to process what Luca had said, when he turned to look at me briefly before returning his gaze to the road.

“I am trying, amore.”

I took a deep inhale before nodding slowly.

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